maximum steel span

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otto man - 21 Jul 2008 08:10 GMT

I have built a deck on an existing roof and it's too noisy below because
the roof is too bouncy. I want to run a span of steel over the roof
without touching it and put my deck on the steel span. The steel will
span 28' and support only itself and the floorboards with max 4 people.
The railings are already sitting on the roof so the steel won't support
them. Can I do this with an 8" high 4" wide I-beam of 1/4" flange and 1/8"
web? I don't think safety is an issue because there is a fairly strong
roof right underneath it. What does a beam like that weigh?
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hawgeye - 21 Jul 2008 12:40 GMT

> I have built a deck on an existing roof and it's too noisy below because
> the roof is too bouncy. I want to run a span of steel over the roof
> without touching it and put my deck on the steel span. The steel will
> span 28' and support only itself and the floorboards with max 4 people.

There other factors that you need to consider like snow, wind, seismic and
other dead loads. What is going to support the beam?

> The railings are already sitting on the roof so the steel won't support
> them. Can I do this with an 8" high 4" wide I-beam of 1/4" flange and 1/8"
> web? I don't think safety is an issue because there is a fairly strong
> roof right underneath it. What does a beam like that weigh?

There are a few beam sizes that come close, but nothing exact. A W8x10. and
W8x13 are close. The last number is lbs/ft so you are looking at least 280#.

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PeterD - 21 Jul 2008 14:14 GMT

>I have built a deck on an existing roof and it's too noisy below because
>the roof is too bouncy. I want to run a span of steel over the roof
>without touching it and put my deck on the steel span. The steel will
>span 28' and support only itself and the floorboards with max 4 people.

How are you going to limit it to four people? Even if the deck is only
2 foot wide, the length of 28 ft will allow many more than 4 people!

>The railings are already sitting on the roof so the steel won't support
>them. Can I do this with an 8" high 4" wide I-beam of 1/4" flange and 1/8"
>web? I don't think safety is an issue because there is a fairly strong
>roof right underneath it.

Is this me? HUH? The roof underneath is not a factor WRT safety.

>What does a beam like that weigh?
>-------------------------------------

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willshak - 21 Jul 2008 16:59 GMT

on 7/21/2008 3:10 AM otto man said the following:

> I have built a deck on an existing roof and it's too noisy below because
> the roof is too bouncy. I want to run a span of steel over the roof
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
>

Signature

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
in the original Orange County
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

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willshak - 21 Jul 2008 17:11 GMT

on 7/21/2008 3:10 AM otto man said the following:

> I have built a deck on an existing roof and it's too noisy below because
> the roof is too bouncy. I want to run a span of steel over the roof
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> roof right underneath it. What does a beam like that weigh?
> -------------------------------------

Only one beam? Is the deck going to be balanced on this one beam?
Will the walls holding up the roof support a beam of that size?

Hire an architect that can come out and take measurements, calculations,
and make recommendations.
You may need to have the architect draw up plans and sign off for a
building permit.

Signature

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
in the original Orange County
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

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Homeowner Forum / Construction / July 2008

maximum steel span